Shuttle control



Dec. 18, 1956 H. #2. FRENTZEL 2,774,388

SHUTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 3, 1953 12 Sheets-Sheet l i INVENTOR. {7 Z5 M C 71W M X! M Dec. 18, 1956 H. c. FRENTZEL 2,774,333

SHUTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 3, 1953 12 Sheets-Sheet 2 IN VEN TOR. C, 5

BYMMW jonvay 12 Sheets-Sheet 3 H. C. FRENTZEL SHUTTLE CONTROL Dec. 18, 1956 Filed Sept. 3, 1953 INVENTOR.

jfiarnl/ 1 i w s Dec. 18, 1956 H. c. FRENTZEL. 2,774,333

SHUTTLE CONTROL 12 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed Sept. 3, 1953 96 v fa INVENTOR.

BY CI W M/KM H. C. FRENTZEL SHUTTLE CONTROL Dec. 18, 1956 Dec. 18, 1956 H. c. FRENTZEL 2,774,333

SHUTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 3, 1953 12 Sheets-Sheet 6 INVENTOR. BY 1 C. 7 W

Dec. 18, 1956 c, FRENTZEL 2,774,388

SHUTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 3, 1953 12 Sheets-Sheet '7 A22 INVENTOR.

27/ 272 fl BY M Q zW 5Z9 mflM/ Dec. 18, 1956 H. c. FRENTZEL 2,774,388

SHUTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 3, 1953 12 Sheets-Sheet 8 IN V EN TOR.

BY %AW Dec. 18, 1956 H. c. FRENTZEL' 2,774,388

SHUTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 3, 1953 12 Sheets-Sheet 9 IN VEN TOR.

AIM C Fl/5g, f5 270' 287 I Dec. 18, 1956 H. c. FRENTZEL SHUTTLE! CONTROL Filed Sept. 3, 1953 12 Sheets-Sheet ll wm wk INVENTOR. 4 m... C. 7 1446,, Y

dam/11M flier/19y Dec. 18, 1.956

SHUTTLE CONTROL Filed Sept. 3, 1953 H. C. FRENTZEL 12 Sheets-Sheet 12 INVENTOR.

BY M/YM United States atent SHUTTLE CGNTROL Herman C. Frentzel, Shorewood, Wis.

Application September 3, H53, Serial No. 378,259

41 Claims. (Cl. 139-126) This invention relates to looms and it more particularly resides in an improved apparatus for the laying of weft threads through a shed formed by warp threads advancing toward a beat line, one form of such apparatus may comprise in its more complete aspects a shuttle receiving box disposed at one end of the shed to provide 2. terminus for a shuttle in its flight through the shed with which is associated braking means for arresting the travel of a shuttle'entering the box and homing elements for continuing the travel of the shuttle within the box to predetermined position making it ready for a return flight through the shed, which apparatus has a shuttle throwing member driven by a firing motor for throwing the shuttle from the box through the shed and means for engaging the shuttle with a Weft as it departs from the box to draw the Weft from a supply to the side of the cloth through the shed, there also being means for clearing weft from the shuttle that has been drawn through the shed and severing the weft from the supply, and retaining the weft in position for movement with the lay up to the beat line.

For weaving with wire it has been common to employ the pirn type shuttle that contains the supply of weft. The shed is then clear of obstruction after each passage of the shuttle to permit the heddle operation that closes and reopens the shed to effect the necessary shift of the warp threads. The quantity of Weft that may be loaded in a shuttle utilizing a pirn is necessarily limited. An increase in the amount of a full load of weft necessitates resort to a larger size shuttle, and there is definite limitation as to optimum shuttle size. Thus, it becomes necessary to frequently interrupt the Weaving process and reload the shuttle with a full pirn of weft. This frequent stoppage gives rise to inefiicient manufacture. Furthermore, with frequent reloading the texture of the finished wire cloth will often be found to lack desired uniformity since the characteristics of the several loads of weft necessary to complete a cloth of any substantial length may vary considerably.

Resort is commonly made to pirn type shuttles of a size as large as practical limitations permit and the weight of such fully loaded shuttles presents a considerable inertia factor. Not only does the Weft present considerable bulk, but the shuttles have been constructed of large size and weight to render suflicient durability, thus aggravating the inertia factor. Impact stresses encountered upon throwing and arresting the travel of fully loaded shuttles are large and have necessarily required the shuttle controlling equipment to be of rugged construction. Such equipment commonly employed has nevertheless been subject to frequent mechanical failure, and stoppage of the loom for the repair and replacement of parts has had material adverse effect upon the efliciency of manufacture with looms employing the pirn type shuttle.

In accordance with this invention, which relates principallyto wire weaving looms, a low inertia shuttle is thrown back and forth through the shed. For each flight a weft thread, drawn off from a supply at the side of the 'ice cloth, is picked up by the shuttle and carried through the shed into position for the beat of the lay and is released from the shuttle upon the shuttle completing its flight through the shed. For the return flight the shuttle picks up a weft from a second weft supply at the side of the cloth from which flight now begins. The pirn is eliminated and the shuttle employed may be of light weight and reduced dimension. The inertia of such a shuttle remains constant, rather than varying as in the case of the pirn shuttle from which weft is stripped and the mass consequently reduced as weaving continues. With the lighter shuttle, velocities may be increased for a given shuttle energy that is to be absorbed by the braking members. The weaving rate can then be advantageously increased. In the practice of the invention advantage is taken of the shuttle employed to also provide improved means for accelerating and decelerating the shuttle that give enhanced control over shuttle action.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention a shuttle controlling apparatus is mounted at each end of the lay and the cycle of operation for throwing the shuttle and feeding a weft through the shed may be divided into four major operational steps for each of the two control apparatus, as follows:

1. Terminating a shuttle flight, that is initiated from the opposite control apparatus when the lay is near the retracted dwell position, by braking the shuttle to a halt, and then translating the shuttle to a position for optimum throw on a return flight and for tensioning a weft laid in the shed and held by the shuttle,

2. Clampingly engaging the weft near the end held by the shuttle and freeing the end from the shuttle before the lay moves up to the beat line, and then releasing the weft to permit the lay to retract from the weft after a beat has been made in which the weft has become a part of the woven cloth,

3. Throwing the shuttle in a return flight upon the lay assuming a position near or at the dwell position and engaging a weft drawn off from a supply at the side of the cloth in the shuttle, as it is thrown from the apparatus, to be carried thereby through the shed, and resetting the throwing and shuttle braking elements for the next cycle of operation, and

4. Severing the weft from the weft supply and clampingly engaging the cut weft end in position before the lay moves up to the beat line, and then releasing the weft end to permit the lay to retract toward the dwell.

It is an object of this invention to provide for the use of a substantially continuous weft supply from which a cloth of uniform texture may be woven.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shuttle control for a loom that eliminates the need of frequent shut down of the loom for replenishing the Weft supply. 7 I

It is another object of this invention to provide a shuttle control for a loom that simplifies the tending of the loom.

It is another object of this invention to provide a shuttle control for a loom of rugged construction not susceptible of frequent breakdown and requiring a minimum of attention over an extended period of use.

It is a further object of this invention to provide for the use of a shuttle of low inertia not subject to change in value as weaving takes place that may be rapidly ac.- celerated and decelerated in its flight.

It is a further object of this invention to employ a shuttle of reduced thickness to provide for a small shed opening during shuttle flight and enhanced heddle action.

It is still another object of this invention to provide in a shuttle control for a loom a shuttle throwing mernber of low inertia for quick acceleration of the shuttl to be thrown thereby through the shed.

It is another' object of this invention to provide a shuttle control for a loom that brakes a shuttle entering a shuttle box forming a part of the control and that then carries; the shrit'tle'fio a' 'terminalposition disposed adja';

'cefnt' 'ah' ejector for optimum acceleration upon throw frorii'theboii. r V s, n is V r .It' is ano heir object of this invention torprovide a shuttle'.control,for reen thatmay be shifted alongthe lay to" abc'ornmodate for the weaving of'cloths of differentwidth. U V

It is" 'nother object of this invention to provide a shuttle control for a'loorn tha't' operates inaccordance with'th'foursteps hereinbefore enumerated and requir'es twofiriggering' impulses to actuate movements of h' b j o inside end of the shuttle controllingapparatus with' parts broken away and in section; V

Fig. 16 is an inside end view in elevation of the shuttle controlling apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4,

' Fig. 17 is a fragmentary rear view in elevation of the inside end of the shuttle controlling apparatus shown in Figs. 3 and 4,- i

Fig. 18 is a view in perspective of'a shuttle employed V with this invention,

It' isf a further object of invention to provide a shuttle contfrolQthatjis' adaptable for installation on presentlyl trng'loom's without thte need of any extensive alt'e' ratron'or' mqdification of such looms. V V i It is a further object 'of this invention tojpr'ovide a bralrefor a shuttle havingbrakingniernbers, not, dependent upon ontact with the] shuttle for 'braking frictiori and which may beir'elease'd from braking {position to permit move 't of'the shuttle to a position for optimum throw.

These and other objects and advantages of this inven- 7 tion will appear in 'the'de'scription to follow. In the description-reference is made to the accompanying drawa iri'gs whi'ch' form a part hereof, and in which there 'is shown by way of illustration and not of limitation specifi'cjforms in ,which'this invention may be embodied.

In the drawings, Fig. 1 is a right hand side view in elevation of a loom embodying this invention'in which parts not directly pertaining :to the operation of the invention have beenemirred I a L Fig Zi s; a fragmentary'view in perspective of mounting ilifimbers for shuttle controlling apparatus at the right hand end of the loom lay which form a part of this invention, I it s isafront View in elevation of shuttle controlling apparatus-forming a part of this invention mounted at 'the right hand end of the loom lay,

Fig. 4 is a top plan view Fig. '5 is a fragmentary view .in.elevation with parts of the ap aratus shown in 1 broken away and in section of aj mounting for a tire control rod forming a part of this invention, in

Fig.. 6 is a fragmentary topplan view of the inside end of shuttl controlling apparatus mounted at the left' si f '1 m.1ay,... H

N Fig. f7 is a fragmentary front view in. elevation with parts broken away. and in section showing thefiring moitor for the shuttle controlling apparatus in Figs. 3 4,.v

-F -.8i.3 61 .Yiew in elevation of the controlling apparatus in Figs. 3 and 4,

E ig.. f9 v is a view in section of thefshuttle controlling an alternate position from that shown in Fig. 19,

a ew i f flles fll t se l apparatus viewed through the plane in Fig. 3

ig] 14- 3? i en a y t P' r le);. ieW;Qf.Ih. .in fotthe shrittl controlling apparatus with "parts Broken 111. away andin section; i

Fig. 15 is a fragmentary frdnt View in elevation "of the shuttle Fig( 19 is 'a fragmentary view in'perspective of the weft nip and clamp armsfof shuttle controlling apparatus mounted at the left'handend of'the imilay; Q V V Fig. 20 is a fragmentary view perspective of the weft nip and clamp arms of the shuttle controlling apparatus mounted at the right hand end of the lay,

Fig. 21 is a schematic view of the fluid pressure connections for the shuttle controlling'apparatus, V N

Fig. 22 is a wiring diagram of a circuit forbpera'ting the lay and shuttlecontr olling apparatus, V r 7 I Fig. 23 is a fragmentary view perspectiveshowing the relation" of portions of the shuttle" controlling ap-' paratus with ashuttle' H v g u Fig 24 is a fragmentary view with parts broken away through the plane 2i24 show n in'Fig. 14',

and in section near the inner end of the apparatusrview'ed' Fig. 2571s a front view in elevation of an alternative form of shuttle controllingxapparatus in which this invention isemho'clie-cl, and

Fig. 26 V is a broken away and in section ofa portion of the apparatus shown Fig. 25.

Referringnow tothe' drawings enamelspeciiicalilyto l j Fig. lI,tl1erefis shown a' right hand side'frame 1' of a 7 10am 2. A br east beam 3 is joined to th frame 1 attire rout of the loom 2 and a warp roll 4 isirot'atably mounteclf at the rear of thefrarne l. Warp roll 4 carries al supply' of warp threads 5 that are passed forwardly through g heddles' 6 to form a shed opened and closedebythe.

usual he'ddle: motion. The beat'line 7 is at the apex of the shed' and woven cloth" 8 passes about the breast beam 3 and is woundupon a cloth roll 9 that is ro tat'ably mounted beneath and to the rear 'of the breastbeain' 3. The loom 2 .has a left hand side frame, not shown,sinr'- lar to theright hand side frame 1' that supports the 0p'-' posite. ends of the breast beam .3 androllsj l and 9.. j

Alay 10 has a right hand side arm 23 that threadedly receives at its'upper end an adjustable pivot liwith a pointedend seated in a rackll2 secured to the'top of the right hand side fram'el. A similar pivotand'racl; areprovided at the opposite endof the lay it) to furnish amounting that permitsswinging movement between a rearwardly retracted position termed the dwell shown in Fig.1, and a beat position wherein the ny'm is ad'- vanced forwar'dlvto the beat line 7. A' p neumatic ray retraction cylinder 13 having a piston I4 is mounted on ,a' stand 15 behind the lay 10. 7A piston rod 16 cirtends frorn th'e cylind ei'i13 and connects to th c underside of the: lay bottom 17. ,By alternately charging and venting the cylinder 13 the lay 10 may be retractedto the dwell position and permitted to fall forwardly to the beat position. A rod 18, also connected'to the 'lay hote. tom 17, is joined through a pivoted link 19 'to one end of a coil spring 20 Thespring '26 urges the lay it! forwardly toward the heat line to augment the blow imparted by the lay 10 upon mal ing a beat.

A Pa 9 ht stai T1 1 i wh his vsli iv' fi. are disposed at. the sides of the loom. 2 to support weft supply sp ools 22. Each spool 22 is.dis posd to have the weft threads wound thereon spun ofifroin the inside end of the spool facing the Fig d fragmentary view in elevation with" loom while .the' spool remains;

beneath the lay cap 24 is the lay bottom 17 and held between the cap 24 and the bottom 17 is the reed 25 comprised of a plurality of thin closely spaced dents 26. The warp threads 5 are led in the usual manner from the heddles 6 through the openings between the dents 26, as shown in Figs. 3 and 4. The lay bottom 17 has an extension 27 to the right of the side arm 23 and bolted to the lay bottom 17 and its extension 27 is a flanged mounting member 28. A dovetail track 29 is seated on the upper face of the flanged portion of the member 28 and is secured by mounting screws 38, one of which is clearly shown in Fig. 13. Mounted on the track 29 is a bracket 31 that may be slidably moved along the flanged member 28. To retain the bracket 31 in desired position the screws 30 are brought up tight to cause the dovetail track 29 to act as a clamp that holds the bracket 31 against the flanged member 28.

Referring again to Fig. 2, a set of mounting bolts 32 are passed through vertical slots, not shown, in the bracket 31 and are threadedly received by a backbone 33 which forms the principal mounting member for the shuttle controlling apparatus of this invention. In Fig. 2 the backbone 33 is shown stripped of the elements mounted thereon for purposes of illustration. When drawn up tightly the bolts 32 clamp a curved mounting face 34 of the backbone 33 against a mating surface of the bracket 31 and upon loosening the bolts 32 the backbone 33 may be tilted to a position of alignment with the reed 25. The backbone 33 has a notch 35 near the inside end and a horizontal slot 36 disposed near the mid portion. An air inlet nipple 37 extends from the right hand, or outside, end of the backbone 33 that leads to passageways, not shown, that form a part of a fluid pressure control system diagrammatically represented in Fig. 21.

The triggering elements Passing now to Figs. 3 and 8, a bearing block 38 is secured on the underside of the flange of the mounting member 28 and spaced to the left of the block 38 is a pair of centering cylinders 39 and 40 that are likewise attached to the underside of the flange of the mounting member 28. Cylinders 39 and 40 are more clearly shown in Figs. 5 and 9. A freely slidable fire control rod 41 is borne at its outside end by the block 38 and extends through the centering cylinders 39 and 40. A pair of connectors 42, see Figs. 5 and 9, are firmly secured to the rod 41 and each receives the end of a pin 43 that passes through a cylindrical cavity 44 in an associated centering cylinder 39, 40. The opposite ends of the pins 43 are threaded to receive a nut 45 to limit pin movement. A coil spring v46 is compressed in each cavity 44 by a plug 47 encircling and integral with the respective pins 43. The plugs 47 are urged against the connectors 42 to retain the rod 41 in a centered position. This rod centering assembly provides support for the rod 41 and upon a shift of the rod 41 in either axial direction it is returned to centered position upon release of the thrust causing the shift.

A depending block 48 is clamped to the fire control rod 41 to the immediate left of the bearing block 38 and a bracket 49 pivoted for limited movement in a horizontal plane at the bottom of the block 48 carries a roller 50. The bracket 49 is free to pivot rearwardly against a biasing spring, not shown, from the position shown in Figs. 3 and 8, but is restrained from swinging forwardly. A vertically movable firing cam 51, shown in Figs. 1 and 3, which may be raised to engage the roller 50, is carried on a stem 52 that is in turn connected to the piston rod 53 of an air cylinder 54. The cylinder 54 and the stem52 are supported by a bracket 55 mounted on the side frame 1 of the loom 2.

A stub shaft 56 is borne by and extends through the bearing block 38. The left hand end of the shaft 56 engages the depending block 48 and the right hand end carries a roller 57. The bracket 58 extends outwardly from the side frame 1 and mounts an air cylinder"' 59 having a cam plate 60 secured on the piston rod 61 for limited inward and outward movement. Inward movement of the cam plate 60 will cause engagement with the roller 57 to occur as the roller 57 is swung by the movement of the lay 10. Upon the roller 57 engaging and riding over the cam plate 60 the fire control rod 41 will be moved inward. Outward movement of the rod 41 will occur upon the roller 50 engaging and riding over the firing cam 51.

The backbone assernbly The backbone 33, clearly shown in Fig. 2, forms a principal mounting frame for the apparatus. Secured to the top and front face at the right handend of the backbone 33 is a firing motor cylinder 62, which is clearly shown in Figs. 3, 4, 7 and'8. On the back face of the backbone 33 and directly behind the cylinder 62 is a valve block 63, which is clearly shown in Figs. 4, 8, 1O a.nd 12. To the left of the firing motor cylinder 62 and the valve block 63 is a cover plate that extends rearwardly of the backbone 33, as is clearly shown in Figs. 4, 10 and 12. A floor 65, shown in Figs. 10 and 12, is directly beneath the cover plate 64 and immediately to the left of the cover plate 64 and the floor 65 is an arresting cylinder block 66. A firing sheave bracket 67 is disposed to the front of the cylinder block 66, as shown in Figs. 4 and 9.

A shuttle box cover 68 is secured to the upper face of the backbone 33 at the left hand, or inside end. The cover 68 overhangs to the rear of the backbone 33 and beneath the cover 68 is a shuttle box floor 69 secured to the back face of the backbone 33. The floor 69 and cover 68 form with the backbone 33 and the cylinder block 66 a recess open both at the inside end and the back, which recess is termed a shutle box and has been given the designating reference numeral 81. This portion of the apparatus is most clearly shown in Figs. 4,

11, 13, 14 and 16. Referring now to Figs. 3 and 4, there is shown to the front of the shuttle box 81 a brake housing 70 and to the left of the housing 70 a weft nip and clamp unit 71, each being secured to the front face of the backbone 33.

The shuttle throwing ram and travel arresting means f Referring now particularly to Figs. 10 and 11, the outside end of small diameter quill 72 is received in the valve block 63 and extends to the left between the floor 65 and cover plate 64. A cap 73 fits over the inside end of the quill 72 and a small opening 74 leads from the interior of the quill 72 to the exterior. The body of a shuttle throwing ram 75 in the form of a thin walled sleeve 76 that fits tighly about the quill cap 73 surrounds and is concentric with the quill 72. Inserted in and brazed to the right hand end of the sleeve 76 is a head 79 that is held in position by the top plate 64 and floor 65 to guide movement of the ram 75 and which also serves as a catch in a manner to be described. A bushing 77 is disposed within the ram 75 and extends through the head 79 to be held in place by a lock ring. The bushing 77 fits snugly about the quill 72 to form with the quill cap 73 a chamber 78 the sleeve 76, the volume of which varies with the position of the ram 75 as it slides along the quill 72.

A sliding guide block 80, more clearly shown'in Figs. 11 and 16, is secured to the inner end of the sleeve 76 that extends within the shuttle box 81. The guide block 89 has a pair of toes 82 that ride in complementary grooves in the top face of the shuttle box floor 69 andan integral extension of a coil spring 85 seated within the sleeve 76.

Referring now to Figs. 9, l0 and 11, the arresting cylinder block 66 has a pair of cylindrical cavities 86 dis- 7 ere's' a eru a o'flthe sleeve 76. I The" collars were dispesed 'wi'thiii the path? or travel of the. head 79lof the ejector ram .75to arrest the movement of the rain when it is thrown-toward thelef't-in a fashion to be described Engagement of the head 79 with the collars 89 ve'thepistons 8 8 inwardly to compress the fluid I tie s 86" that is at-line pressure'to effect 'a braking of therein-75.:

7 The'firilig motor i ,As shown inFig. 7 a; cylinder liner 90 with an" internal bofe is" received'in the right handend of thefiring motor 7 cylinder' 62"andf'a piston'91' is, in turn, received within" I t emed); Thelinei 9Q'exte'nds'for approximately onehalf'the 'lehgth of'the cylinder 62 and opens upon a large chamber 94 forming the left hand end of the' cylinder 62.

piston 91 has a'hollow shaft 92 that slides Withina sieve 9s haunted on the end will of the chamber 94 andextehd's to the exterior of the cylin'der'62. Threaded- 1y attached to the exterior end of the shaft 92 is a mo'v able. sheave block '95;

A port 96is insertedin the face of the piston 91 to form a' passage leading from the chamber 94 to the righthand sidecif the piston'91 ahd'a valve 79 is vhelclon the den flectable" eiid of a spring arm 98 in a position to open and the panes. "Spring arm 98 is secured to the side of the piston 91-faeing the chamber 94 and normally 'holds' the valve 97 open. A button 99' of resilient material is attached to the deflectable end of the spring'arm'98 and a plate 101? ismount'ed on thesleeve 93' to intercept the f vanes 99 iipon the piston 91 being moved to the position shown inphantom in Fig; 7. l V The large ehamber' 94 of the cylinder 62 has an inlet pditlill, that is shown only in Fig. 21, which is connected to a fluid pressure source to retain line pressure within the chamber 94 at-all times. A second port 102 for the cylinder 62 enters on the right hand side of the piston-91, asshown in' Fig; 7, andleads into the'valve blocle63' as? will be described. A number of circularly spaced'vent openings 103 are arranged concentrically in the end wallof the cylinder liner 90 about a valve stem 104 that extends through the liner 90; A large valve head105is carried by the stem 164 within the cylinder 62 to open and closethe vent openings 103 and a resilient block 106 is secured to the back of the valve head 105 in position to be struck by the piston 91 as it moves into the position shown in Fig.7. The; external end of the stern 104 receives the defiectable end of a coil spring-197 mounted on the f ace' of the cylinder liner 99' that urges.

' 'thejyalve'head 105 to open position. V of three sheaves and, as clearly/shown in Fig. 9, the firing sheave The movable sheave block 95 comprises a set bracket 67 mounts a'pair ofsheaves 198 and 109 that are tilted inthe' plane of the sheave block 95. A third sheave 110 is'rotatably mounted on the underside of the sheave 'bracket 67 in horizontal'position and-enters the slot 36 in the backbone 33 which opens into the space between the cover plate 64 and floor 65; A. firing cord 111 has a dead. end flied toan upright post 112 on the bracket 67 and leadstherefrorn to the uppermost sheave of the movable' sheave block 95.- The cord 111 passes back to the bracketj67 to pass around the top sheave 103 and hence bacl; to thesheave block '95. Cord 111 then leads to sheave109 and'back again to sheave block 95 from which it passes to the horizontalsheave 110. Passing ahout.-;slieave-11Q thecord 111 runs behind -the-baekbone 33 -i fi qnti' st aw thi t 'i hifis h e 79 -th ea end of the shuttle throwingram .75, as shown in Fig. 23. 7

' The firing; and'reset elements "Referringnew to Figs. 10; and 12;. a firing" latch: m: is pii otally mounted on: a pin' 1 14: held in the covergplate- 64. A- spring .115 housed in the valve block .63ipresses downwardly upon the lateh finger 116 that. forms an. integral portion of latch 113 toblock the head 79 outlier throwing ram 75' from'moving inwardly. A strut 117 is connected atone end' to the latch 113 and extends:

obliquely inwardly,:as-shown in Figs. 3 and 4', to a con nection with a lever 1 18; clearly shown in Figs.- 15; and. 16.

7 home in a bearing block 127 attached to the shuttle box cover 68; A depending extension 120 integral with: the" lower end of lever 118'supports' one end of a shaft 121- positioned to the front of the fire control rod' 41, as: is shown in Figs. 13 and 15'. The'shaft121 is" threaded at the right end and is surrounded by' a sleeve 122 that extends through the lever extension 120. A connector .123

. on the sleeve 122 is clampedto the fire'control rod 41- and a spring 124 is disposed between a' nut 125'on. theshaft 121 and the connector 123. A bushing 126. is insertedbetween the lever extension 120 and the connector 123.

Referring again to Figs. 10 and 12, the valve block 63 a has a chamber 128- with an inlet port 129 for connection to a fluid pressure source to provide line pressure; a

first outlet 130 running" to the quill'72, a second outlet 7 131 connected with the inlet port 102' of the firing cylinder 62, and a vent 132"that-pas'se'sthrough a cap enclosing .the end of the chamber 128.; A double headed valve" 133 is seatedin the chamber 128toalternately close the" inlet port 129, as shown in Fig. 10, and thevent'13'2, as

shown in Fig. 12, and a valve stem 134 extends through" the cap135 to the exterior'of theblock-63.

. A cylindrical opening 136 extends through projects from the inside end of the passage 136 to abut thehead 79 ofthethrowing ram. Inside the passage 136 a cup shaped spring seat '138 is held against :the .bushing 137 and the headed end ot a stem '139 is received in the seat 133. The stemj139 receives a second spring seat 140 at the opposite end thatbears 'in the passage 136 for sliding movement, and a lock nut 141 retains the spring seat 140 in position on the stem 139. Acoil spring 142 is inserted between the. spring seats 138, 1401 and the outer end of'the stem 139 overhangs beyond stem 134 isa lever 143 pivoted on a pin 144 held pair'of ears 145. extending from'the block 63.

The weft feed A weft receiving eye 146 ismounted above the outside i end of the block 63, as shown in Figs.' 8, 10, and 12. To the left of the eye 146 and alsoabove the block 63 is a fixe'd'horizontal plate 147. A vertically displaceable' plate 148 isdirectly'beneath the'plate '147 and: 'is' held from horizontal shift by a'pair of guide pins 149. Acting. upwardly upon-the underside of thejdisplac'eable plate 1 1484s a spring 150?- seated in a vertically adjustable? spring seat-151 housed in the block 63 that has a triangular. groove 152'running about its circumference, A pointed. set screw 153 that works in the block63 engages the wall; of the groove 152 to vary the vertical position'pfthe spring seat 151, and: a lock nut 154- may beib'rought up 64, the arresting cylinder block? 66*and a portion of the V shuttle box cover 68. The left hand end of thetube 155 is supported by a bracket 156 fastened upon thelshuttle box cover 68 and extending beneath and beyond this end' of'the tube- 155 -is a feather 151 carrie'd'by the-shaft 119- I tin-pivot. therewith. The i'eatherdfl' exteuds toftheand a thin blade 158 mounted on the side of the feather The lever 1 18is pivotal1-y mounted on a shaft'119 V the bleak: 63 above the valve chamber 128 and a" bushing 137 157 projects downwardly into the shuttle box 81 upon the feather 157 being disposed in the. lower position of Figs. 11 and 16. An obliquely downwardly extending opening 161 enters the blade 158 at the upper outer end and emerges at the lower left. Mounted on one side of the feather 157 is a spring seat 159 that houses a spring 160 that works against the shuttle box cover 68 to urge the feather 157 into a normal position of tilt lifting the blade 158 out of the shuttle box 81.

The shuttle brake and the homing elements Referring now more specifically to Figs. 13, 14 and 15, the lower portion of the brake housing 70- is shown as a bowl 162 in which is snugly received a'vertically movable :cup 163. Integral with and rising from the bottom of the cup 163 is a shaft 164 with a shoulder 165 and that is threaded at its upper end which extends above the housing 70. A coil spring 166 encircling the shaft 164 seats within the cup 163 and a cup cover 167 held by a retaining ring 168 holds thev spring 165 in compression'to urge the cup 163 downwardly. A circular plate 169 rests on a ledge 170 at the top of the bowl 162 andstanding upon the plate 169 is a rotatable brake disc 171 with a vertical hub 172 riding on a sleeve bearing 173 encircling the shaft 164. The lower end of the hub 172 terminates port 193 connected direct to line pressure enters the chamber 190 from the left and an outlet port 194 is in the bottom of the chamber 190;

A double headed valve 195 in the chamber 190 may be reciprocated between a position closing the inlet port 193, in which event the vent opening 192 is open, and a position closing the vent opening 192, in which instance the inlet port 193 is open. A valve stem 196 for the valve 195 extends through the cap 191 to the exterior in position to be engaged by the lower end of the lever 183. The outlet port 194 leads past an adjustableflow regulating valve 197 into a chamber 198 formed between the bowl 162 and the cup 163. l

There is shown in Figs. 3, 4 and 14 a tubular slotted pulley guide 207 extending from the right front of the housing 70 having a pulley 208 over which a brake wind up cord 209 passes. The cord 209 is secured at one end to the pulley 174 at the base of the brake disc hub 172 and is dead ended to the housing 70 at its other end. The

pulley 208 is fastened to the end of a piston shaft 210 e that enters the pulley guide 207 from within a cylinder in a pulley 174 and the upper portion of the hub 172 above the brake disc proper 171 is ringed by a cam 175 keyed in position to rotate with the hub 172. Integral with the periphery of the brake disc 171 is a depending flange 176 to which one end of a brake cord 177 is secured by a stub bolt 178, as shown in Fig. 14. The up posite end is attached to a shuttle catch 179, shown in Figs. 16 and 23, that slides in grooves in the shuttle box cover 68 and floor 69. The brake cord 177 may be wound around the flange 176 to draw the shuttle catch 179 toward the open end of the shuttle box 81, or unwound, as shown in Fig. 14, to rotate the brake disc 171 as the shuttle catch 179 is moved toward the closed end of the box 81.

A vertically displaceable non-rotatable brake disc 199 with a brake lining 200, of a suitable material such as cork, is in facing relation with the upper face of the rotatable brake disc 171. A bell housing 201 rises upwardly from the center of the disc 199 to enclose the hub 172 and cam 175 and fits closely about the shaft 164 at a point above the shoulder 165 to be engaged thereby upon the cup 163 being raised upwardly. A collar 202 sets on the top of the bell housing 201 concentrically with the shaft 164 and seated within the collar 202 is a coil spring 203. Threadedly received on the upper end of the shaft 164 is a cap 204 that envelops the spring 203 and retains it in compression to urge the brake disc 199 into engagement with the lower brake disc 171. Closing the top of the brake housing 70 is a cover 205 held by a retaining ring 206 and which has a central opening to closely encircle the bell housing 201.

A horizontal pin 180 closely fits within an opening in the brake housing cover 205 with one end rotatably mounting a small diameter roller 181 disposed to bear against the cam 175 and be moved radially outward. The outer end of the pin 180 abuts a set screw 182 in a downwardly hanging lever 183 pivoted at the top'to a bracket 184 extending to the right of the housing 70. An adjustment shaft 185 extending through the lever 183 is threaded at one end received in the housing 70 and a pair of nuts 186 are carried at the opposite end. A washer 187 encircling the shaft 185 is held against the nuts 186 by one end of an expansion spring 189 that seats at its other end in a spring seat 188 also on the shaft 185. The spring seat 188 is held against the lever 183 by the expansion spring 189 to move the set screw 182 against the pin 180.

As shown in Fig. 15, a valve chamber 190 is drilled in the base of the brake housing 70 and is closed by a threaded cap 191 that has a vent opening 192. An inlet shown in longitudinal section.

211 in the housing 70. A piston 212 rides in the cylinder 211, shown in Fig. 14, and a port 213 for the cylinder 211, leads direct to line pressure.

Referring again to Fig. 11', the shuttle box floor 69 is A cylindrical opening 214 at the inner end is closed by a plug 215 that has a resilient stop 216 on the inner side. An inlet port 217 is adjacent the plug 215 and a tubular piston 218 enters the cylinder 214 from the right. The tubular piston 218 closely surrounds a tubular rod 219 upon which it slides. The rod 219 forms a chamber within the piston 218 and an inlet port 220 connected directly to line pressure dis" charges through the rod 219 into the chamber withinrthe piston 218. The inlet port 217 of the cylinder 214 leads to the chamber 198 of the brake housing 70, as shown in Fig. 21. I

A slot 221 in the shuttle box floor 69 above the piston 218 guides a bracket 222 that is mounted on and slides with the piston 218. A permanent magnet 223 is held in the bracket 222 and a pad 224 of a material such as cork with a high coelfioient of friction, is cemented on the magnet 223 to rise slightly above the bracket 222 and the floor of the shuttle box 81.

' The weft nip and clamp Referring now more particularly to Figs. 14, 15, 16 and 17 the weft nip and clamp support 71 has a post 225 at the right front from which a wall 226 runs rearwardly to the backbone 33. A second post 227 spaced from the post 225 is at the left front of the support 71 and an upper pivot shaft 228 and a lower pivot shaft 229 each extend between and are borne by the posts 225, 227. A pin 230 driven into the post 227 enters the lower shaft 229 to anchor it in place and a pin 231 passes through the post 227 and shaft 228 and extends rearwardly above the backbone 33. Pivotally mounted on the upper shaft 228 is a hub 232 with a gear 233 and from which extends an upper weft nip and clamp arm 234. Pivoted on the lower shaft 229 is a second hub 235 with a gear 236 in mesh with the gear 233 and from which extends a lower weft nip and clamp arm 237. The arms 234 and 237 pivot in unison between a closed position, shown in Fig. 17, that blocks the open end of the shuttle box 81 and an open position, shown in Fig. 16, that leaves the opening of the shuttle box 81 unrestricted. A cylinder 238 in the base of the weft clamp support 71 has a piston 239 with ashaft 240 extending through'a cylinder cover 241 that is connected by a pin 242 to the lower nip and clamp arm 237. A spring 243 is inserted between the piston 239 and the cover 241 to urge the piston 239 downwardly.

To retain alignment of the clamp arms 234 and 237 a ridge 244 runs along the top of the lower clamp arm 237 and a complementary groove 245 is cut in the lower face of the upper clamp arm 234. A forked weft clamp 2 565 stem 247 is,

ward and of the ripper clamp 234 with i'esilil if 237 a blockl259 is secured asan integral portionon the .ejrid'of the upper arm 234'. a 1 U H j i xj'A rotatableishaft 2'55, shown" clearly in'Fig. Zfl, is

placed in a recess at the rear-' cushion 248 sandwiched between the top of the clamp 24 6Iand the arm 234. The s'tem'247 passesthrough the cushion 248'into the clamp arm 234 and a pin 249 in the arm -234ieXtends through a notchin the stern 247 tov hold the iarnp 2146'1 nplace While permitting linl'iit'ed upward travel withrespectftd the-arm. 234 that compresses the cushion248; The lower clamp, arm 237 has when ridge 25-9 disposed ffofmate withthe forked c1amp246 to pro .vide for a seizing of weftfthread-upon the closingof the V clamp arm's 234 and 237. A blade 251 with a cutting U edge 252 is secured to'the upper clamp arm 234 tothe outside of the forked c1amp 24 6, .as clearly shown in Fig. .20. Afls'e'cond blade .253 is secured on the lower" clamp arm 237 With a cutting edge 254 disposed to pass closely by the edge 252 as the cla'mp arms 234, 237' are closed, as in .Fig. 17. To complete'the clamp arms 234,

mounted in th'ebase ofthe right hand post 225 of the;-

i weft clamp support 71 and. one; end of a stiff wire 256 is inserted in the shaft 255. The wire 256 extendscbliquely upwardlythrough a pivot block 257 that is free to pivot on the pin-242 and terminates in a crank shaped end 258 between the lower clamp arm :23? and the shuttle box a 81;, As the pin 242 and pivot block 257 are raised and lowered upon moving the clamparms 234, 237 the wire V a 256 will sweep upwardly and then downwardly through an are passing in front of the opening of the shuttle box 81." V As shown in Fig. '15, a valve chamber 260 in the Weft directto. line pressure and an outlet port 262v that extends into the cylinder 238. A cap 263 with a vent 264 closesthe chamber 264? and a twin headed valve 265 disposed withinthe chamber 260 is adapted toalternately closethe inlet 2 61 and the vent 264. Avalve stem 266 extends through the cap 263 to the exterior.

Althree armed lever267 is pivoted beneath the 'nip.

eases at; en aged ,B 'ai'e catch 11; attached o. the endgo'ti manage. crd 177 andia second not'ch' 283 at tlil'eft end. to be engaged by' asimilar. catch in-a shuttle c m trolhnglapparatus at tlilft hand end or the. lay 10...

The top face 284 of the shuttle 281i is grooved and agripper. arm 285 of. a spring me'tal that extends for" the length of thesaurus 281 is laidin the groove'to ,form

a channelZBB to the rear of th arm' 2'85 and a second v channel '287 to thefront ofthe arm 285. A left endgripper finger 288,; the: front channel 2'87 has' a toothed jaw 289 that engages a similar jaw 290 that terminates the} l'eft 'e1"1' il-ofthe arni 285:1 1A fightend gripper finger V 291' in the bacl cHannel'Z SG'has atoo'thed' jaw 292"that: engages a mating'jaw' 2931 terminating therightzend of 15" spring rnet al and thepairs ofimating jaws are normallyi closed to-clampin gly' engage weft thread when'iinsert'ed V v therebet ween.

In] the base of ma ma 28-1 is a plate'329 of g;

net'icimaferial shetvn in Fig. 11, adapted tobe attracted' f by ihe hbnnngm nerzzs' and extending from'thebacl c face} of thefshuttl'e 28 1'is a-p'air of rollers 294, shown in phantom tnFig 13; that serve to ride across thefaceof the rjed r-rjh scribed is disposed at the right hand side of'the lay "10 andto-cornplete an operational loom a siim'lari apparatus 7 is disposed aftlie left hand side of the lay 10 together tic'iilar difierences shownin Figs. 6 and" 19. V I irrFi'g; 6thet innerendor the shuttle receiving box of nip and clamp support 71 has an inlet port 261 leading and clamp support 71 with a first arrn26 8'pressed down- I wardly by a spring 26 9, as'shown in Fig. 16, to move asecond arm 270 upwardly againstthe valve stem 266. A. third armg271 extends;downwardly-and receives the inner end of the shaft 121V'which has'a collar 272 that 7 may hearagainst the arm 271 'to rotate thlelever 267 I upon the shaft 1-21 being displaced inwardly." A bell crank lever 273 pivoted at'the'frontof the nip and clamp support 71 has a notched lower end 274 adapted to en- 7 gage the finger 268- of the lever 267 and a bias spring 275', shown in Fig. 16, moves the lower lever end 274 '7 against the lever 267. Referring now to Fig; 1', a W'e ftj .Pivotally attached to the rear'face of the block277isfa lever 278 that extends beyond the end of the cover 68 to 'be struck by the block 259 on the upper clamp ar-111134,

and which supports a rotatable disc 279 that is depressed V into and retracted from the shuttle,receiving box- 81 as J the lever .7273 is pivoted downwardly' and upwardly. A;

straight spring 289 with a fiired end fastened'to the cove'r 68 has a deflected: end pressing downwardly on the top of the'lever 27$, to moverthe lever 278 to a raised'p osi tion lifting the disc 279 clearofth'e interior of'the' shuttle box sli a r V me'dpiparatus at tire l'fiillaltd end Thashuttle ami- 0f the layin Fig.- 18 there is showna 'cloiible headedishuttle 2S1 haiiing a notch 282 at the right end of a c'onfiguration secondfwef t jshpplyfi The lefthand apparatus is, .inthe main; syminet'rical to that described arid'hasparthe leitharidiapparatn's isgshow n with afeather l5 7"that has a' blad'e 158 on the front side; rather than the hack side as iii; the. righthamruniwf Fig; 14. ,A mounting block 277' p'i'vetally su ports a lever 278 with a disc 279 disposed to the rear-or thefeather 157 rather The discv V 279 is disposed to open the jaws 292 and293 at'the 'rightf 40;

to the' frbnt as in the right hand apparatus.

e 281;; while the disc r 279 of the right end of the" shuttl hand ' Referring f'now to Fig? 'l9.- there; is shown the ends of; an upper-warshi and clamp arm 234' and a lower;

weft nip -and'clainp arm 237 of the le ft' hand apparatus; as viewed fro'm the shuttle' b'o x. A' blade 251"has 1a cutting jedg'd'252 spaced frointhe end of the upper arm. 233' and 3' Blade: 253"; .lia's' a' c'utting edge 254" similarly spac ed-fiiio'rn means of the lower arm 237K. This may 7 V bef compared-with-the blades 251 ,253 of the right hand ap aratus-shown in Fig. 20' in which the cutting ed e-s 252 and 254 are at the ends of the blades.

I The electrical circuit aerating assay 22, the lay retraction cylinder connected to le v"aIve',294 operated by a winding 295'. Valve 29 l=ventsthe.cy1inder 13 upon encrgization oftthe windi'ng 2'95to permit the lay 10 to move toward the beat li-ne 7 .aridi feeds line pressure into the cylinde'r 13 upon a deenergization of the winding 295, to 'caue'a retraction. of the lay '10 to the dwell; position; The 3 cylinder 54 fort the; apparatusat the right hand end of the lay 10iis connected to a; normally closed valve 296 which is opened'uponenergization of a winding297s V A corresponding aircylinder-54f of the app aratus at the left-hand endof the lay 10 has ai-valve 296'; and a winding 297. The air cylinder 59 is fed through .a valve 298 -thatiss operated by a winding 299' and the corresponding, qilinder.59 of the g leftihalnd apparatus: has 1 avaglvdfi contrdlled byawarding-299 The lay 10 is equipped with a set of normally closed s'linttlecon't'irllin g" apparatus that has been" decan to open the jaws 239-and 290;: V A en of he samaezaa i'nfa manner. hereinaft r' d e's cribed. Tlre;blad'ef l58'is disposed to be'passed" btvvefi' the" jaws '289ja rid 299 Of the shuttle 2 81 and g h the blade 1-58 of the endrapparatuswvill pass be"- push button switches 300 and a manual switch 301 having a contact arm that may be alternatively set in closed positions with either a contact 333 or a contact 334. A pair of power lines 302 and 303 are provided and one side of the winding 295 is joined through a lead 304 'to the line 302. The opposite side of the winding 295 is joined through a lead 305 to the arm of the switch 301. Contact 333 of the switch 301 is joined to one side of the switches 300 and 301 which are connected in series, and the opposite side of the switches 300 is connected through a lead 306 and a lead 307 to the power line 303. Thus, with the switch 301 closing the contact 333 and upon opening either push button switch 300 the valve 294 is operated to lead line pressure into the cylinder 13 to move the piston 14 rearwardly and draw the lay to its retracted dwell position. With the push button switches 300 both closed the winding 295 will be energized to vent the cylinder 13 and drop the lay 10 toward the beat line 7.

A shaft 308 rotated by the prime mover, not shown, of the loom 2 rotates a set of cams comprising a lay retraction cam 309, a weft clamp action cam 310, a right hand shuttle firing cam 311 and a left hand shuttle firing cam 312. The contact 334 of the switch 301 joins through a lead 313 with a switch 314 opened and closed in response to'the rotation of the cam 309, and hence through the lead 307 with the power line 303. The winding 299 is connected through leads 315 and 316 in parallel with the winding 299 and one side of these windings 299, 299 is in turn connected through a lead 317 to the power line 302. The opposite side joins the power line 303 through a lead 318, a switch 319 operated by the cam 310 and lead 320. One side of winding 297 is joined by a lead 321 to the power line 303 and the opposite side of the winding 297 is joined through a lead 322, a switch 323 responsive to earn 311, and a lead 324 with the power line 302. In similar manner one side of winding 297' is joined through a lead 325 to the power line 302 and the opposite side is connected through a lead 326, a switch 327 responsive to cam 312 and a lead 328 to the power line 303.

For purposes of clarity, the ducts for the fluid pressure control system, embodied within the apparatus mounted upon the backbone 33, that extend between the cylinders and valve chambers shown and described have not, in general, been shown in the drawings. The connecting ducts joining the pressure operated elements are instead schematically illustrated in Fig. 21 wherein the complete pressure system is shown, exclusive of the cylinders 54 and 59 which do not comprise a part of the interconnected pressure operated elements mounted upon the backbone 33.

Referring now to Fig. 25, there is shown therein an apparatus similar to that of the previous Figs. 1-24 except that the fire and nip triggering elements are mounted directly upon the apparatus borne by the backbone, rather than on the lay bottom as illustrated in the previous figures. Parts in Fig. 25 identical to those of the previous figures have been designated with like reference numerals. Mounted "on the shuttle box cover 68 of the apparatus in Fig. 25 is a cylinder and valve housing block 335 above which a solenoid 336 is held by a bracket 337. As shown more clearly in Fig. 26 a plunger 338 of the solenoid 336 rests upon a valve stem 339 of a valve 340. The valve'340 fits within an opening 341 in the block 335, and the solenoid plunger 338 is biased by a spring 350 to normally hold the valve 340 closed against an inlet port 342 connected to a pressure source. An outlet port 343 is in the side of the opening 341 and a cap 344 through which the valve stem 339 extends closes the top of the opening 341 and has a vent 345. A cylinder 346 opens upon the left hand face of the block 335 and receives a piston 347 with a short shaft 348 that bears against a lever 349. The lever 349 is similar to the lever 118 of the apparatus of Figs. 1-24, with the lower portion beneath the pivot pin 119 cut OK. A ball 351 closes the side of the port 343 opening upon the cylinder 346 and a spring 352 is interposed between the ball 351 and piston 347.

Referring again to Fig. 25, a bracket 353 depends from the weft clamp support 71 and supports a solenoid 354 with a plunger 355. The plunger 355 extends to the left to engage the lower arm 271 of the lever 267 and upon energization of the solenoid 354 the plunger 355 moves the lever 267 clockwise.

Operation To ready the apparatus of the invention for weaving the bracket 31 that supports the backbone 33 is shifted along the dovetail track 29 to bring the inside end of the assembly mounted on the backbone 33 up to the outermost warp 5, to reduce the gap between the shed and the entrance to the shuttle box 81 to a minimum. The mounting screws 30 securing the track 29 in the mounting plate 28 are then brought up tight to clampingly engage the bracket 31 between the flanged mounting member 28 and the beveled faces of the track 29. For alignment of the shuttle box 81 with the open shed and the reed 25 the assembly on the backbone 33 may be shifted by loosening the bolts 32 in the front face of the bracket 31 and moving the backbone 33 upwardly or downwardly and then retightening the bolts 32. For the apparatus of Figs. 1-24 the connector 123 is now secured to the fire control rod 41.

Similarly the shuttle control apparatus at the left hand end of the lay 10 is positioned for operation. The following description of operation is directed to the form of the apparatus shown in Figs. 1-24. Like parts of the apparatus of Figs. 25, 26 operate in similar manner and hereinafter particular reference is made to the operation of the form of the apparatus shown in Figs. 25, 26.

A weft thread 331 is drawn off the weft supply spool 22 and the end is inserted through the eye 146 atop the valve housing 63. The thread 331 is then led between the plates 147 and 148, the upward pressure of the lower plate 148 being regulated by adjustment of the set screw 153 to tension the weft 331 as desired, and passed through the tubular guide 155.

From the guide 155 the end of the weft 331 is inserted in the opening 161 in the blade 158 and drawn a short distance from the emerging end of the opening 161 at the opening of the shuttle box 81. Similarly, the apparatus at the left hand end of the lay 10 has a weft 330 fed into the apparatus.

Upon energization of the prime mover for the loom, which is not shown, the cam shaft 308 is set into continuous rotation. To reciprocate the lay 10 for weaving the switch 301, shown in Fig. 22, is moved to close the switch arm with the contact 334-, to join leads 305 and 313. The Winding 295 will be energized twice for each revolution of the shaft 308 in response to closure of the switch 314 by the double lobe cam 309. As hereinbefore described, energization of winding 295 causes valve 294 to vent the cylinder 13 to allow the lay 10 to move downwardly and forwardly to the beat line 7. Upon deenergization of winding 295 valve 294 will feed line actuated to move the cam plates 60 and 60 inwardly to.

intersect the path of travel of the rollers 57 and 57 respectively that translate the fire control rods 41 and 41 upon riding across the cam plates 60, 60 to actuate the weft clamp arms. The lobes of the cam 310 are positioned to cause operation of the cam plates 60 and 60';

to occur during the downswing of the lay 10 toward the a 54 that moves cam 51' 'the brake disc 171 and being brought to a halt.

beatline 7. The cams s11 and312 seams ress lobe suchthat sw'itchesf323 and 327 .are-elosed .alterna tively when thelay is at or moving in the vicinity of the retracted dwell position. Upon closure .of the switch I V 323 the winding 297 isener'gizedjto operate the valve 296 which connects the cylinder 54 with line-pressure to move each being closed complete acircuit to energize the winding 295 and vent the cylinder 13 The lay 10 will then be moved to the beat line '7, ,at 'whichposition 'it'will remain unless either switch 300is opened. An opening of' a switch 300 will effect deenergiz ation of the winding 295 to cause valve 294 to feedline pressure to the cylinder 13. Ihelay 10'will thenbe moved to the retracted dwell position.

' Receipt ,of shuttle The cycle of operation for a shuttle controlling ap-- paratus on the lay 10 will be described by reference to the righthand apparatus and will commence with the shuttle 281 traveling through the shed toward the right hand shuttle receiving box 81. The shuttle 281 will have a weft 330 held in the gripper jaws 289 and 290 at its left or trailing end,the feather 157 will be raised, and the upper and lower clamp arms2 34, 237 will-be open to permit unobstructed entry of the shuttle 28,1.

As the shuttle 281 enters the receiving box 81 the notch 282 at the right or leading end will engage and pickup the shuttle catch 179 that protrudes into the shuttle box 81 and is secured to the brake .cord 177. The initial position'of the brake elements will have. thecord -177 wrapped about the flange 176 of the rotatable brake disc 171 with the catch 179 adjacent the notch in the backbone 33. The brake discs 171 and 199 are initially engaged and the pressure therebetween may be regulated by adjustment of the cap 204 threadedly held on the shaft the terminal travel of the shuttle 281 after braking for. retracting the shuttle 281 fully withinthe box 81 is termed fhomingf Homing is accomplished :by movement, of the magnet 223 beneath. .the magnetic/plate, within the shuttle 281,1in the manner .asfollows.- a

Line pressure, having been applied to within the chamher '198 that is formed between :the bottom of the cup 163 andthe bowl 162 .at the bottom .of the brake housing a 70, will extend, as shown in'Fig. .21, through the port 217 into the cylinder 214. The initial position of the piston 218 and the magnet 223 is' to the left, having been moved thereto by the line pressure that is present in the tubular rod 219. Ii With'theentry of line pressure into the cylinder 214 the force on the left face. of piston 218 becomes greater than thaton'the right, with consequent V movement to'the position shown in Fig. 11. Magnetic attraction will, then carry the shuttle 281 into home posi- 1 tion, and the weft 330 .held in the gripper jaws 28 9, 290 r n and extending through the shed wil be stretch'ed by .the. 1 homing movement. The magnetic attraction is sufficient to retain the shuttle 281 in home position against the force exerted byv the reset piston 212, transmitted to the shuttle through cords 209 and 177, and the tension set up in the weft 330. r a

Release 0 weft from shuttle and the 'beat motion 7 As the lay falls from the-dwell position toward the beat line 7 switch 319 wil be closed to energize the windings299 and 299, as hereinbefore noted, and-cam plates;

and 60' are then moved inwardly. The rollers 57 and 57' will ride over the cams 60 and 60' as the. lay descends to cause the fire control rods Hand 41' to be actuated I inwardly. Referring now primarily to Fig; 15, it willbe observed that movement ofithe rod 41 inwardly movesthe shaft 121 through the connector 1 23 in' likedirection. Collar 272 on shaft ,121 moves arm 271 of the lever 267 clockwise to raise the arm 268 which is then held raised'by engaging the notch of the lever 273, as shown in Fig. 16. The lever arm 270 is pivoted downwardly away from the valve stem 26 6. The valve'265 will drop in response to line pressure at the inlet port 261 and'close the vent 264. '-Line pressure is now fed from the inlet port 261 through outlet port 262 into the cylinder 238 164. The cap 204 controls the compression ofth sprin 203, which provides necessary brake pressure. Also for the initial position the reset'cord 209 is unwound from the pulley 174 and the piston 2.12 and pulley 208 are extended. The shuttle 281 will drawthe cord 177 off the flange176, as it advances into the box 81, zthusrotating Rotation of'the disc 171 will wind the reset cord 209 about the pulley 174, drawing the piston :212 into its cylinder 2 1 1, as shown in 'Fig. 14, and the cam willbe rotated to engage the roller V181 andmove the pin 180. to the right, as shown in Fig. 15. The hinge lever 183is then swung to the right against the bias of spring .189 and the valve is free to move away from the inlet port 193, which it normally closes, inresponse to line pressure.

Movement of the valve 195 to the right closes thevent opening 192 and'line pressure will pass from the inlet port 19 3 through the outlet port 194 into the chamber 198 to urgethecup 163 upwardly against the spring 166. Upward movement of the cup 163 brings the shoulder 165 of the'shaft 164 against the bell housing 201 of the vertically movable brake member 199 and raises the member 199 to'disengage. the brake lining 200 from the rotatable. brakedisc 171 V V With the brake members 171,199 released the shuttle 281 is free of restraint and may be moved into engages mentwith the resilient nose pie'cej84 of the shuttle eject.-

ing ram 75 for optimum throw from the Shuttle box 81; i

This position is shown in Fig. '11; This continuation of shown in Figs; '16 and 17. Piston 239 is moved upwardly against the spring 243 .to rotate the lower clamp arm 237 upwardly and the upper clamparm 234'downwardly, into closed position. As shown in Fig. 20, the weft'330 held in the'shuttle 281 is disposed to 'the sideof the cut ting edges 252, 254 and will be-held' between the'forked clamp 246'and the ridge'250 as the clamp arms 234, 237

are brought together. 7 V The downwardmovement of the upperclamp are 234 brings the block 2 59 at the end of the arm downwardly upon the lever 278 that mounts the disc 279, as isclearly shown in Fig. .17. The lever 278' is lowered against the V bias of the spring 280and the disc 279 is inserted between the central gripper arm 285and :the gripper finger 288, as shown in Fig. '20, to spread the jaws 289 and 290 that hold the weft 330. V Simultaneously, with :theupward swing of the lower clamp arm 237, thestiif'wire .256 is swung rapidly upwardly toknock the weft 330 out of the shuttle jaws 289 and 290. i

The upper and lower Iclamp arms 234 rand 237. .of the" left hand shuttle control assembly,'shown in Fig. '19,-close similarly as the clamp arms234 and237; The weft 330,

which has been drawn from a spool at theleft side of. j the loom 2, is disposed between the, cutting edges, 252' and 254' tobe severed-upon closure 01 the arms 234' and a 237. This 'end of the weft 330 is also grasped between a forked clamp 248 and its ass ociated ridge 250' to hold the weft 330 in position as .thelay :10 is heat up to the apex'of the shed of warp threads. 5.' V

' As the forwardly movinglaylfl approaches the beat line 7..the .pper end of the bell crank leyer.273, clearly shown in Figs. 14 and "'16,"strikes the arm 277 of the nipper 

